If …
Directed by Lindsay Anderson
Written by David Sherwin and John Howlett
1968/UK
IMDb link
First viewing/Criterion Channel
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
Mick Travis: One man can change the world with a bullet in the right place.
This disturbing, savage, beautiful film was a perfect match for its year of release.
The setting is a private British boys’ boarding school. The school is run on rigid discipline, patriotism and religious principles. Unfortunately, the senior boys are authorized to impose this discipline on their juniors. The seniors are incredibly sadistic.
Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell) is a born rebel and the de facto leader of a small group of boys called The Crusaders. These boys fight the system with everything they have. I’ll stop there.
I was really impressed with this movie. To start with, the cinematography (both in color and B&W) is stunning, the script is biting, and the acting is fantastic. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. This clearly paved the way to A Clockwork Orange. Malcolm McDowell was born to play these kinds of roles. Recommended with the warning that there is a lot of graphic violence to contend with.
If … won the Palme d’Or at Cannes.
